Basic Guide: Disease

SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) first emerged in the Guangdong province of China. Yet after months of international
travel, SARS developed throughout the world and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 8,098 people became sick;
774 of which died.

Thus, the WHO created a network of laboratories all around the world to identify the causative agent of SARS, which soon
identified the novel coronavirus in SARS patients.

First, SARS patients usually develop a high fever greater than 37.5°C. Then
pneumonia-like
symptoms,
including headache, feeling of discomfort,
chills,
and body aches, become evident. After 2 to 7 days, patients may also develop a dry cough, which might associate with
hypoxia
in which insufficient oxygen is traveling to the blood. Therefore, in approximately 10 to 20 percent of the cases,
mechanical ventilation is required.

SARS is caused by a new form of coronavirus called 'SARS-associated coronavirus' (SARS-CoV). Yet at this time, there is
still a mystery whether other infectious agents are involved. One fact though is tests have proven that the coronavirus
derived from animals - possibly a civet cat - not humans.

SARS spread by close contact between people when for
instance a SARS-affected person coughs or sneeze contagious droplets into the air. These droplets then travel to the
mucous membrane
of the mouth, nose or eyes of the person nearby. It can also spread by a person, or touching a surface or object
contaminated with infectious droplets.

The time between exposure to the SARS virus and onset of symptoms is called the
incubation period.
The incubation period for SARS is typically 2 to 7 days, although in some cases it may be as long as 10 days.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), close contact means when one has cared for or lived with
a SARS-affected person or has a high probability of direct contact. As in with respiratory secretions and/or body fluids
with the SARS patient such as kissing, embracing, sharing eating or drinking utensils or close conversations within 3 feet
between people.

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends that people with SARS restrict themselves from outside
activities for 10 days after their symptoms have subsided. Although they are most infectious when symptoms occur, this is
a precaution as patients are most infectious during the second week of illness.

1.1.2
Infected while working in another hospital, nurse Zhang looks out the window of the isolation ward of You'an Hospital in
Beijing. The food on her windowsill were placed there by relatives who were prevented from bringing anything into her room
(used with permission of Lou Linwei, freelance photographer for TIME Magazine).

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends that patients with SARS receive the same treatment that would be
used for any patient with serious community-acquired atypical pneumonia. SARS-CoV (SARS coronavirus) is being tested against
various antiviral drugs to see if an effective treatment can be found.

SARS Quest - Averting An OutbreakIn this short Flash game, you will be taking on the role of the Health Minister of the imaginary country of Asitwon.
Your aim is to use all necessary means to prevent a SARS outbreak in the country.